Officials are warning South Carolina beachgoers to be on the lookout for a sea creature capable of delivering severe stings.

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Dozens of what officials say appear to be Portuguese man o’ war were spotted Monday on Seabrook Island and Monday and Tuesday on Hilton Head Island, the Post & Courier reported.

Hilton Head Island town manager Steve Riley said about 100 of them washed ashore on Monday. He said fewer than 20 were seen on Tuesday, the Post & Courier reported. Officials at other Charleston area beaches, including Edisto, Folly, Sullivan's Island, the Isle of Palms and north to Myrtle Beach, reported no sightings.

Fast facts on Portuguese Man o’ war

The Portuguese man o’ war is often called a jellyfish, but is a species of siphonophore, a group of animals that are closely related to jellyfish.

The sea creatures have a 6-inch balloon-like float which may be blue, violet or pink.

The man o’ war’s long strands of tentacles and polyps can be 30 feet to 100 feet long, so beachgoers should stay far away from the balloons.